World Vision is bringing to Cyprus a global campaign to eradicate poverty in developing countries by educating girls , beginning with a VIP screening of the widely anticipated film Girl Rising at the Shoe Factory on October 11, 2013. The VIP screening will be held on the International Day of the Girl to highlight the fact that 66 million school-age girls around the world are currently denied their right to an education. Denying girls access to education has a devastating effect on the prospects and opportunities of the girls, their families and wider community. It also leaves the girls vulnerable to oppression and exploitation throughout their lives.

Girl Rising spotlights the stories of nine unforgettable girls around the world striving to overcome impossible odds and achieve their dream of an education. The VIP event will be the first of 18 screenings, including national television, schools and universities. The aim is to raise awareness of the difference an education can make to the plight of the poor, especially vulnerable girls. The screenings will also serve as a fundraiser to benefit World Vision’s work with girls living in poverty around the world. The series of events will be under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Commissioner for Children’s Rights.

In support of global education for girls, World Vision will be hosting special Girl Rising screenings across the island during the month of November, made possible by the collaboration and support of K-Cineplex theatres.

Girl Rising is at the center of 10x10 – a global campaign to educate and empower girls around the world. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization committed to working with children, families and communities to end global poverty, and is an ‘impact partner’ to 10x10 and Girl Rising. Two of the girls shown in the film are benefitting from World Vision programs.

Girl Rising is directed by Academy Award-nominee Richard E. Robbins. The film witnesses the strength of the human spirit and the power of education to change the world. It captures the girls’ dreams, their voices, and their extraordinary lives.

The idea for 10x10, and the inspiration for Girl Rising, emerged when a team of journalists were asked this daunting and seemingly intractable question: How do you end global poverty?

As the team spoke to global policy experts, development practitioners, and leaders with years of experience eradicating poverty, a simple truth emerged: Educating girls is the highest return investment you can make if you want to break cycles of poverty.

If a girl is educated, it is far more likely that she will marry later, have fewer children, and avoid contracting HIV/AIDS. When she becomes a woman, she is less likely to be a victim of domestic violence and more likely to engage in civic leadership. She will earn more money. What’s more, an educated mother is more likely to educate both her sons and daughters equally, passing prosperity and opportunity to the next generation.

“It is thrilling to be an active partner to this global campaign to get girls around the world into school, and help to improve their lives and future prospects,” said Conny Lenneberg, Regional Leader for World Vision International.

“World Vision is committed to empowering girls through education, and Girl Rising is putting a human face to the powerful change educating can bring,” said Clare Seddon, Regional Field Support Director for World Vision.

“By showing Girl Rising, we are helping to spread the message that educating girls can change the world. Cyprus, as a member of the EU, has an important role to play promoting this message at international forums and also through its own Official Development Assistance efforts,” said Petros Florides Executive Officer for World Vision Cyprus.

World Vision World Vision is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to help them reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. For more information, visit www.wvi.org

10X10 10x10 was founded by award-winning journalists at The Documentary Group and Paul G. Allen’s Vulcan Productions, along with strategic partner, Intel Corporation. 10x10 is built on a foundation of partnerships with NGOs, corporations, policy makers, and grassroots organizations - all working to change minds, lives, and policy. 10x10’s coalition of NGO partners include a high-impact network of champions and leaders in girls’ education. These organizations provide life-changing services to girls every day, and are among the best practitioners of their kind. 10x10’s film, Girl Rising, has been acquired by CNN Films and will be broadcast on CNN.